PFAS in New Jersey Well Water: What Homeowners Need to Know

If your home runs on well water in New Jersey, there’s an invisible threat you may not have considered: PFAS. Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS in water in New Jersey has become one of the most pressing drinking water concerns in the state — and for well water homeowners, the risk is especially real. Unlike municipal water systems, private wells are not subject to federal treatment requirements, which means the responsibility for testing and protecting your water falls entirely on you.

This guide covers what PFAS are, where they come from, which parts of New Jersey are most affected, how to test your well, and what PFAS water treatment options are available to protect your family.

What Are PFAS — and Why Are They Called “Forever Chemicals”?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — a group of more than 12,000 man-made chemicals that have been used in manufacturing and consumer products since the 1940s. You’ll find them in nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, stain-resistant carpet treatments, firefighting foam, and dozens of industrial applications.

The reason they’re called forever chemicals is simple: the carbon-fluorine bond that makes PFAS so useful — heat-resistant, water-resistant, chemically stable — also makes them nearly impossible to break down in the environment or in the human body. Once PFAS enter soil or groundwater, they don’t go away. They accumulate. And when they enter a body of water that feeds a private well, they become part of every glass of water, every pot of pasta, every cup of coffee your household consumes.

The two most studied PFAS compounds are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), though researchers and regulators are increasingly focused on the broader class of compounds as a whole.

Health Risks Associated with PFAS Exposure

The science on PFAS and human health has evolved significantly over the past decade. The EPA and independent researchers have linked long-term PFAS exposure to a range of serious health concerns, including increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, immune system suppression, developmental issues in children and infants, and complications during pregnancy.

Children are considered especially vulnerable because their immune and hormonal systems are still developing, and PFAS can be passed from mother to child both during pregnancy and through breastfeeding. The health effects are dose- and duration-dependent, meaning the longer the exposure and the higher the concentration, the greater the risk — which is exactly why early detection through testing matters so much for well water households.

In 2024, the EPA finalized the first-ever federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for six PFAS compounds in drinking water, setting the limit for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion (ppt) individually. New Jersey has been ahead of the federal curve — the state had already established its own MCLs for PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA before the federal rule was finalized.

PFAS Water Contamination in New Jersey: Where the Risk Is Highest

New Jersey has one of the highest concentrations of known PFAS contamination sites in the country, a consequence of the state’s dense industrial history, military installations, and extensive use of AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) at firefighting training facilities.

Several areas in New Jersey have documented PFAS contamination in groundwater that directly affects private wells. The Chambers Works facility in Salem County — once one of DuPont’s largest chemical manufacturing sites — has been linked to PFAS contamination in surrounding communities. Willingboro and Burlington County have seen contamination tied to military base activity at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Gloucester County, Mercer County, and parts of Morris and Middlesex County have all had documented cases of PFAS in well water at levels of concern.

It’s important to note that PFAS contamination doesn’t respect town or county boundaries. Groundwater moves, and contamination plumes can travel significant distances from the original source. If you live within a few miles of a former industrial site, a military base, an airport, a landfill, or an area that historically used firefighting foam, your well warrants testing regardless of whether your specific town has appeared in news coverage.

How PFAS Gets Into Well Water

PFAS reach groundwater through several pathways. Industrial discharges and spills — both historical and ongoing — allow PFAS to leach into soil and travel downward until they reach the water table. Landfills that accepted PFAS-containing products or industrial waste are another major source. Military and civilian firefighting training sites that used AFFF foam have contaminated large areas of surrounding groundwater in many parts of the country, and New Jersey has several such sites.

Agricultural land treated with biosolids (sewage sludge) is an increasingly recognized pathway as well. Biosolids can contain PFAS absorbed from the consumer and industrial products that enter the wastewater stream, and when spread on fields, those chemicals eventually work their way into the soil and groundwater below.

Once in groundwater, PFAS move slowly but persistently. Standard soil filtration that removes bacteria and some other contaminants does nothing to reduce PFAS. They pass through into your well water unchanged.

How to Test Your NJ Well Water for PFAS

Testing is the only way to know if PFAS are present in your well water. There are no sensory signs — PFAS are colorless, odorless, and tasteless, just like radon gas. A standard water quality test from a hardware store will not detect PFAS. You need a laboratory test specifically designed for PFAS analysis.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recommends using a state-certified laboratory for PFAS testing. You can find a list of certified labs on the NJDEP website. The test typically involves collecting a water sample from your tap (the lab will provide a pre-cleaned container with instructions) and mailing or delivering it to the lab. Results generally come back within one to two weeks and will report PFAS levels in parts per trillion.

If your results come back above the state MCLs — 14 ppt for PFOA, 13 ppt for PFOS, or 13 ppt for PFNA — or above the new federal MCLs for any of the six regulated compounds, you should take immediate action to address your drinking water and consult with a water treatment professional.

Even if your results come back below action levels, retesting every two to three years is advisable, particularly if there is ongoing industrial or construction activity in your area, or if a nearby contamination source is identified after your initial test.

PFAS Water Treatment Options for New Jersey Homeowners

If PFAS are detected in your well water at levels of concern, the good news is that effective treatment options exist. Not every filter technology works against PFAS, however, so it’s important to choose the right system.

Granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration is one of the most widely used and proven methods for PFAS reduction. GAC systems use carbon to adsorb PFAS compounds as water passes through, and they can be installed as whole-house systems or point-of-use filters under the sink. Effectiveness varies based on carbon type, contact time, and the specific PFAS present in your water.

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are highly effective at removing PFAS and are generally considered the gold standard for point-of-use treatment. An RO system installed at your kitchen sink can reduce PFAS to near-zero levels in the water used for drinking and cooking. RO systems require periodic membrane replacement to maintain effectiveness.

Ion exchange resins — specifically single-use anion exchange resins — are another option, particularly for whole-house treatment where high removal efficiency is required. These systems are typically more expensive than GAC but offer strong performance across a wide range of PFAS compounds.

It’s worth noting that pitcher-style filters using standard activated carbon (such as most Brita or PUR filters) are generally not certified for PFAS removal and should not be relied on if you have confirmed contamination. Always look for NSF/ANSI Standard 58 certification (for RO systems) or NSF/ANSI Standard 53 certification (for carbon filters) specifically listing PFAS reduction.

What the State of New Jersey Is Doing About PFAS

New Jersey has been more aggressive than most states in addressing PFAS contamination. The state established MCLs for PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA ahead of federal action, and the NJDEP maintains an active list of known contamination sites and public water systems that have exceeded standards. The state has also pursued litigation against manufacturers including 3M and DuPont, and has required responsible parties to fund remediation and alternative water supplies in affected communities.

However, these protections primarily apply to public water systems. Private well owners are largely on their own when it comes to monitoring and treating their water. The state does offer some assistance programs for low-income well owners and has provided free testing in certain high-risk areas, but coverage is inconsistent. The most reliable protection for your household is proactive testing and, if needed, a certified treatment system.

Protecting Your Family Starts with Testing

PFAS in drinking water in New Jersey is not a future problem — it’s a present one, and private well owners are among the most exposed and least protected households in the state. The combination of New Jersey’s industrial legacy, its military installations, and the sheer persistence of forever chemicals in groundwater means that testing isn’t just a good idea; it’s essential peace of mind.

If you’re a well water homeowner in New Jersey and you haven’t tested for PFAS, now is the time. And if your test results show elevated levels, a certified water treatment system is a proven, reliable solution that can protect your family from long-term exposure.

At Jersey Radon, we help New Jersey homeowners address water quality threats they can’t see, smell, or taste — from radon in well water to PFAS and other contaminants. If you’d like to discuss your water testing results or explore treatment options for your home, reach out to our team for a free estimate. We’re here to help you understand your water and take the right steps to protect it.